A Hurricane, also known as typhoon or tropical cyclone, is a weather system with sustained winds of at least 33 m/s. It develops an eye, which is an area of relative calm, with the lowest atmospheric pressure at the center of circulation. The eye in the hurricane is visible in satellite images as a small, circular, cloud free spot. An eye wall, an area of about 16-80 km wide, surrounds the eye where the strongest thunderstorms and winds circulate. The maximum sustained winds in a hurricane have been estimated at about 85-m/s. Hurricane tracking maps and charts are used as tools to track the path of approaching hurricanes, and to alert the public. It helps in announcing the arrival of a hurricane, as a ‘hurricane watch’ or ‘hurricane warning’, depending upon the amount of time left for it to hit a particular area. For instance, if the area will be hit in the next 24 to 36 hrs, the announcement is a hurricane watch, but if it is announced as less than 24 hrs, it is a hurricane warning. Hurricane tracking maps and charts help save many lives if the predictions about an approaching hurricane are announced in time.

In order to do so, its path is plotted on a hurricane-tracking map. Each day is numbered, and A.M. or P.M. is indicated while plotting each position. The dots are joined when the wind speed lies between 39 and 73 miles per hour or more. The variations of the hurricane are observed for at least four days to predict the place and probable date on which it will hit. You should feel free to discuss your predictions about hurricane tracking with that of others, and change them accordingly if necessary. A hurricane tracking map includes the day, latitude, longitude and status of wind. You need to continue the process till the hurricane hits land and check and revise the prediction. There are several hurricane tracking centers designated by the World Meteorological Organization, which are basically responsible for tracking and issuing bulletins, warnings and advisories related to tropical cyclones in the assigned area of responsibility. Many websites provide printable hurricane tracking maps and charts for free from where you can download the model and use it for making predictions.